# Handling customer deletion requests

Tools to remove data from your Dashboard and API.

Stripe offers multiple tools for businesses to remove data from your Dashboard and API.

- Redaction is the ability for businesses to permanently remove personal data from view, making the redacted object’s data inaccessible to you in the Dashboard and API. We recommend using [redaction jobs](https://docs.stripe.com/privacy/redaction.md) to remove your users’ data for consumer data deletion requests. It identifies multiple objects related to any you configured, and provides a centralized programmable interface to remove data.

- Deletion is a capability that some Stripe features offer for object lifecycle management. The best way to view its behavior is through the feature’s documentation and API reference. The delete API endpoints operate on the specified object only and offer detailed controls. For example, if you use the Customers API, review the [Delete a customer](https://docs.stripe.com/api/customers/delete.md) endpoint.

Review the documentation of the Stripe features your business uses and identify the best solution for your business needs.

As your payments and service provider, Stripe complies with legal and operational requirements imposed by the local authorities where your business operates and might retain data as legally required, after redaction. We might need you to finalize an object’s usage or wait for risk periods to end before redaction.

Reasons that an object might not be immediately eligible for redaction include:

- Incomplete object state - Stripe objects might require the business to finalize its usage before deleting or redacting. Here are a few examples:
  - Cancel unused `PaymentIntent` and `SetupIntent` objects
  - Detach payment methods from a `Customer` object
  - Close any open `Dispute` objects
- Fraud - Transactions don’t support deletion and can only be redacted after 90 days.

## Handling invoices

The Redaction API doesn’t support invoice redactions, because issued invoices can be subject to tax-integrity and record-retention requirements. Check local regulations to determine whether and how an invoice might be amended, canceled, or voided in your jurisdiction. Stripe recommends that you consult with your legal counsel for advice specific to your business.

Depending on the invoice’s status, use one of the following options:

- If the invoice belongs to a [sandbox](https://docs.stripe.com/sandboxes.md), [delete the sandbox](https://docs.stripe.com/sandboxes/dashboard/manage.md#delete-a-sandbox).
- If the invoice is finalized, or if it’s a subscription invoice, [void it](https://docs.stripe.com/api/invoices/void.md).
- If the invoice is a one-off invoice and isn’t finalized, [delete it](https://docs.stripe.com/api/invoices/delete.md).

## See also

- [Redact personal data](https://docs.stripe.com/privacy/redaction.md)
- [Your first redaction job](https://docs.stripe.com/privacy/redaction/example.md)